Published: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 09:48 PM.

Photo Galleries

Some in downtown Kinston consider the Platinum Club a major nuisance and safety hazard; others consider it a vital part of the city’s nightlife in a sector where there are few options for people looking for after-hours fun.

Pride of Kinston Executive Director Adrian King took the former view to the members of the Kinston City Council this week, and urged city officials to shut down what he called “this scar on our downtown.”

“I am here to ask that you take action to remove a place which has become not only an eyesore in the heart of our downtown, but also a place which has become synonymous with violence,” King said, reading from prepared remarks during Monday’s council meeting.

The Platinum Club, owned by Tharol Branch of Kinston, is in the former Paramount Theater at 211 N. Queen St.

Several shootings have taken place outside the club during the past two years, as well as an incident in the wee hours of Nov. 4, during which three people were stabbed following an apparent altercation in the club.

A police report viewed Tuesday showed a woman had allegedly bitten off the tip of the nose of another woman while at the club last weekend. The incident was reported Sunday around 3:45 a.m.

King also noted while speaking to the council the theater marquee appeared to be sagging — although repairs were made earlier this year — as well as vandalism at neighboring businesses, “a field of” bottles and cans on the sidewalks, and more.

Some in downtown Kinston consider the Platinum Club a major nuisance and safety hazard; others consider it a vital part of the city’s nightlife in a sector where there are few options for people looking for after-hours fun.

Pride of Kinston Executive Director Adrian King took the former view to the members of the Kinston City Council this week, and urged city officials to shut down what he called “this scar on our downtown.”

“I am here to ask that you take action to remove a place which has become not only an eyesore in the heart of our downtown, but also a place which has become synonymous with violence,” King said, reading from prepared remarks during Monday’s council meeting.

The Platinum Club, owned by Tharol Branch of Kinston, is in the former Paramount Theater at 211 N. Queen St.

Several shootings have taken place outside the club during the past two years, as well as an incident in the wee hours of Nov. 4, during which three people were stabbed following an apparent altercation in the club.

A police report viewed Tuesday showed a woman had allegedly bitten off the tip of the nose of another woman while at the club last weekend. The incident was reported Sunday around 3:45 a.m.

King also noted while speaking to the council the theater marquee appeared to be sagging — although repairs were made earlier this year — as well as vandalism at neighboring businesses, “a field of” bottles and cans on the sidewalks, and more.

“Downtown is Kinston’s neighborhood and I believe I can safely say that all of us working to enhance Kinston’s downtown would applaud your action to remove this dangerous and unsightly place,” he said.

Branch could not be reached for comment Tuesday, despite multiple attempts to call him on his cell phone, and a home telephone number for a Tharol R. Branch. The front doors of the club were locked Tuesday afternoon, and no one answered knocks on the rear doors.

A sign was posted on a front window requiring patrons to sign in and follow all club rules.

“Zero tolerance for fussing, fighting, or violating any club rules,” the sign stated.

Branch also took part in a March 2011 forum with Kinston police officials and club owners, held in the wake of several shootings.

He said he knows most customers personally and plays music that does not promote violence or obscenity.

“I am not about making the rowdiest, most popping club. I am about getting people home. I do not want anybody to die on my watch,” Branch said during the forum.

Chris Maroules, owner of Christopher’s, the Platinum Club’s next-door neighbor, expressed his frustrations with the club Tuesday.

He noted the millions of dollars that are being invested in downtown Kinston to build new museums and restaurants.

“I don't think it's what we're hoping for in downtown Kinston. … It needs to be shut down, at the end of the day,” Maroules said. “It's a nuisance; it's a safety hazard.”

David Bell, Kinston resident and director of the IndyLeft PAC, said during the council meeting the city should not shut down “another thriving African-American business.” He suggested more police patrols would help quell problems.

“As far as shutting the business down and calling it a nuisance, I don’t really understand that,” he said. “I don’t think that’s fair.”

Downtown resident and art gallery owner Choci Gray defended Branch Tuesday — she also said a greater police presence close to closing time would help prevent incidents of violence.

She said Branch “runs a great operation,” and any incidents that happen outside the club are out of his control.

“He's been in the entertainment business for a long time, and that's how he makes his living and takes care of his family,” she said.

Gray said Branch provides jobs for people to work in the club, and gives those in search of nightlife in Kinston a place to go.

“I feel that it's great to have a social outlet for people to go to,” she said. “There's so few of them in this town.”

City Manager Tony Sears said the city does not have the authority to “statutorily attempt to close someone down,” but he has been talking with Kinston Department of Public Safety Director Bill Johnson about the issues with the club — he said Johnson is planning to meet with the District Attorney’s office to find out what options the city has.

“Just know that (Johnson) and I have had conversations, and we’re going to do more to temporarily try to eliminate the issues,” Sears said.

Johnson said during the meeting the city’s nuisance abatement ordinance “does not speak to” the issues surrounding the Platinum Club, and he is working toward a resolution through the courts.

He told King that police have been “more proactive” with patrols in the area, which he called a “short-term solution,” but “obviously it’s not the long-term solution that you’re looking for.”